Time printing device



Sept. 17, 1940. E. s. OSTLER TIME PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan.- 11, 1935 13 Sheet s-Sheet l /medf (1 @WI':

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p 7, 1940. E. s. OSTLER 2,214,796 TIME PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 19:53 13 Shoots-Sheet 2 Sept. 17, 1940. E, 5', os 2,214,796

TIME PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1933 I 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 CP 1940., E. s. OSTLER I 2,214,795

TIME PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1935 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept 17, 1940. E. s. GSTLER TIIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1933 13;. Shuts-Sheet 6 FAN 90 Sept. 17, 1940.

E. S. OSTLER 'rIuE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1933 12$ Shuts-Sheet '7 Sept. 17, 1940. E. s. OSTLER 'lIIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11. 19:53

13 -Shoots-Sheet 8 N v s f Sept. 17, 1940. E. s. OSTLER TIIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1953 is sums-sheet 9 Sept. 17, 1940. a s. OSTLER 2,214,796

TIIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 19:53 iiSheets-Sheet 1o Sept. 17, 1940. E. s. OSTLER TIIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1953 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 p 7. 0- a & OSTLEI. 2,214,796

HIE PRINTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1933 13 Sh0'ets-Sheet 13 HIH HUI IHI W' 144 144' J42 o i l-i a jZnaf Patented Sept. 11, 1940 2,214,790 'rmn 'rnm'rmo nnvrcr:

Ernest S. Ostler, Chicago, 111., assignor, by mesne assignments, to General Time Instruments Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, 1938, Serial No. 851,243

22 Claims.

My invention relates. to time printing devices and more specifically to electrically operated time stamps.

This application is a continuation in part as to I all of the subject matter of my co-pending application, Serial No. 481,325, filed September 11, 1930, for Time printing device. It also contains certain additional subject matter claimed herein.

One oi the objects of my invention is to prol vide an improved time stamp in which the insertion of the paper to be stamped controls the stamping operation.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the controlling switch is opened and latched in open position by the stamping operation. 1

A further object is to provide a construction in which the actuation oi the paper controlled trip will not cause a repetition of the closing of the switch except upon the reinsertion oi thepaper or the insertion of a new paper.

A further object is to provide a construction in which uniform contact-making action is obtained regardless of the manner in which the 86 paper to be stamped is inserted.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the circuit is broken before the stamp head strikes the platen.

A further object is to provide an electric stamp mechanism which will use a comparatively small amount of current.

A further object is to provide a construction which will minimize the danger oi the stamp controlling switch being held in closed position longer than necessary.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the sub-assemblies are easily removable and replaceable.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the-magnet which controls the printing wheels is carried in vertical position in the oscillatable frame.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the cover maybe removed easily and the stamp head raised to permit access to the lower face of the stamp head for changing the ribbon.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the removal of the cover releases the limiting stops so that the stamp head may be swung up to change the ribbon and in which the replacement of the cover returns the stamp head to normal operating position. I A further object is to provide a construction in which the various parts are readily accessible for inspection, removal and replacement.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the impression member has a yielding connection with the plunger 01 the electro-mag- 5 net to permit the plunger to complete its movement even if the movement of the impression member should be obstructed.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the ribbon feed mechanism is actuated 10 on the upstroke oi! the stamp head, thus not interiering with the stamping movement.

A further, object is to provide a slip-drive for both the hour and dating wheels, the slip-drive for the hour wheel being powerful enough to drive both the hour and the dating wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a contact-making device which requires only a small fraction of the pressure or energy in closing, as compared with the pressure at the contact 20 points or the energy expended in closing. It is not my intention to confine the above feature of the invention to use on a time stamp or a printing device.

A further object is to provide a construction 86 in which the cover may be unlocked from either side. I

A still further object is to provide means for varying the force 01' the impression blow.

Further objects will appear from the description and claims.

In the drawings in which an embodiment 01' my invention is shown:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the time stamp;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the oscillatable frame on the line 22 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 3 is a vertical fore and aft sectional view substantially on the line H of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line L-l of Fig. .3; 40

Fig. 5 is a plan view oi the lower casing or frame section with parts carried thereby, the cover and stamp head being removed;

Fig. 6 is a vertical fore and aft section showing the stamp head and associated parts substantially 45 on the line 86 01' Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detail side elevational view showing the switch and associated parts;

Fig. 8 is a detailelevational view oi. the parts shown in Fig. 'l as seen from the right; so

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the switch closed;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing certain parts of the paper controlled mechanism for latching and releasing the switch Ii wheel showing the slip drive;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the dating wheel on the line l8-i8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram showing the two circuits for the stamp;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view showing the drive and setting mechanism for part of the type wheels;

Fig. 21 is a detail elevational view showing an adjustment between the armature and the switch opening means;

Fig. 22 is a detail perspective view showing this adjustment;

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the adjusting cam;

Fig. 25 is a side elevational view of a somewhat different form of switch and controlling mechanism;

Fig. 26 is a view from the left of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a part of the switch-controlling mechanism;

, Figs. 28 and 29 are detail perspective views of alternatively usable trip fingers;

Fig. 30 is a detail view showing the yielding connection between the armature H4 and the stamp head 3;

Fig. 31 is a central vertical section of a stamp embodying the switch control shown in Figs. 21 to 24, inclusive;

Fig. 32 is a detail view showing the connection between the armature and the switch controlling pin; and

Fig. 33 is a detail enlarged view showing the cam adjustment for the pin-carrying bracket.

I will first outline briefly the construction and operation before describing it in detail.

The time stamp shown comprise a two-part casing having an upper section I and a lower section 2 separable substantially on a horizontal plane (the upper section being in the form of a readily removable hood for exposing and permitting access to the stamp head), a time controlled, time printing stamp head 3 oscillatable up and down in the upper casing section and pivotally mounted at 4 adjacent to the upper rear end of the lower section, a vertically movable plunger 5 (Figs. 6 and 31) connected with said stamp head in front of its pivotal mounting, a solenoid coil 8 (Figs. 3 and 31) in the lower casing section in which the plunger operates for drawing the stamp head to effect stamping action of the stamp head, printing wheels, ribbon feed mechanism and clock mechanism mounted on the front end of the stamp head, a vertically operating plunger 1, and a solenoid coil 8 mounted on the rear end of the stamp head for periodically advancing the printing wheels in a time controlled manner, transmission from said plunger to said printing wheels, a switch 9 (Figs. 6 and 7) in the lower casing section for controlling the circuit of the stamp head operating solenoid, a spring 50 tending to close this switch mechanism, means controlled by movement of the solenoid plunger for setting and latching the switch in open position against the action of the spring, mechanism controlled by the edge of the paper to be stamped for releasing the latch ii to permit the spring 10 to close the switch, a second switch l2 (Figs. 3 and 5) in series with the first switch for controlling the circuit for the solenoid coil 6, this latter switch being controlled by the act of placing the 'upper casing section I in position and being provided with a spring which will throw it to open position when the cover is removed, thus preventing any danger of the solenoid coil being energized when the hood is removed.

In operation, the switch 8 and the switch controlling rnechanism are normally in the position shown in Fig. 7. When the edge of the paper to be stamped is inserted in the machine,

it engages the trip or trigger lever i4 and moves it to the left, thereby releasing the switch and permitting the contacts 19 and 88 to close under the action of the coil compression spring ll (Fig. 9).

This closing of the switch energizes the solenoid coil 6 and draws the stamp head down to print the time on the inserted paper.

On the downward movement of the solenoid plunger 5 the pin 20 (Figs. 6, 7 and 9) 'carried by the plunger engages the switch-opening and resetting arm 2 i, opening the switch against the action of the coil compression spring in and causing the switch to be re-latched in open position. This opening of the switch should occur a short time before the stamp head actually strikes the paper so that the stamping action actually takes place due to the momentum of the stamp head and associated moving parts.

The opening of the switch -de-energize the solenoid coil so that immediately after the printing wheels strike the paper the stamp head will be returned to its raised position under the action of the restoring spring 22 (Figs. 4 and 6). Upon the withdrawal of the stamped paper, the latchreleasing trip lever M will be returned to its original position, as shown in Fig. '7, under the action of the trip-returning tension spring 23. As will be explained more in detail hereinafter, no repetition of the closing action of the switch will occur if the paper should be left holding the trip in latch-releasing position, but the paper must be withdrawn to permit the trip to return to initial position before it can again be used to unlatch the switch to permit it to close.

Coming now to the operation of the electromagnetic means for periodically advancing the time printing wheels and clock mechanism (Figs. 3 and 6), a master circuit controller (not shown) is provided which periodically energizes the solenoid coil 8 which controls. the printing wheels and clock by means of pawl and ratchet mechanism to be explained later. The frequency of this energization will depend on the particular style of time printing mechanism provided. In the form shown, this energization will occur once every six seconds, that is to say, ten times during the minute, as the style of stamp shown comprises a printing wheel for printing tenths of a minute. I

In the type of stamp shown there are five printing wheels driven and locked in train from the driving ratchet wheel. The five wheels as shown in Fig. 2 comprise the printing wheel 28 for printing the tenths of a minute, the units minute wheel 29, the tens minute wheel 30, the

hour wheel 3|, and the dating wheel 32. These 75 any! wheelsaredrivenandlockedintrainbymeans of. Geneva gear movements.

The month wheel II and the year wheel ll are not driven from the ratchet wheel but are independently set by means of the setting shaft II and an operating key which engages the flattened end ll of the setting shaft.

As will be explained more in detail hereinafter, means are provided for setting both the hour wheel and the dating wheel independently of the minute wheels, still permitting both of these wheels to be driven in train from the ratchet wheel in the normal operation of the printing wheel advancement.

In order to insure that the circuit for the stamp-actuating solenoid is broken when the hood is removed and closed when the hood is in position, a circuit controlling switch If (Fig. 3) is mounted on the frame which carries the solenoid coil i having a push button 11 located in position to be engaged by the lower end of a pin will press down on the push button and close the switch. When the cover is removed, the pin will be moved away from the push button and a spring (not shown) will throw the switch to open position.

' In order to hold the cover securely in position on the lower casing section 2, a pair of pivoted spring latch members 30 are provided for en-. gagement with keeper members 40 mounted on the cover. When the cover (Figs. 3 and 5 reaches its final position, these hook-like latch members snap over the upper edges of the keeper members to hold the cover in position. To release the cover, a key is provided which can be inserted in a keyhole 4| (Fig. 1) in the lower casing section to engage the flattened end 42 of an oscillatable cam shaft l! on which are mounted a pair of cams ll engaging the downwardly extending arms 44 of. the latch members. when this cam shaft is rocked, the cams unlatch the latch members against the action of the coil springs 45 to permit the rem'oval of the cover.

In order to provide a solid reliable limiting means for the return movement of, the stamp head, I provide a pair of stop members I rockably mounted at 41 adjacent the upper rear end of the lower casing section (Figs. 3 and 5), these stop members being automatically moved to eflective position by the act of placing the cover in position on the lower casing and being automatically moved to non-effective position upon the removal of the cover. This control of the pivoted limiting stops 48 is effected by means of a pair of operating blocks ll (Fig. 3), the lower edges of which engage the rear edges of the limiting stop members when the cover is being placed in position to force these pivoted stop members to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which they are located in the path of the stop pins 49 on the oscillatable stamping frame.

when the cover is removed, the springs ll providedflrmlysecuredtothelower casingand ,engageable with the dowel openings in the cover.

associatedparts 'lhelowercasingsectionlisprovidedwitha horizontal support or shelf Ii (Fig. 6) on which is mounted a rubber platen I! which cooperates with the printing wheels. A cover plate It is provided aboverthis shelf ll having an opening registering with the platen I2- On this cover II are mounted a pair of pivoted pressure arms ll underneath which the edge of the paper slides when it'is inserted for stamping. These pressure arms I are pivotally mounted at II on upwardly extending ears ll formed integral with the cover plate ll. In order to limit the pivotal movement of these pressure arms ll they are provided with downwardly extending arms II which engage with the edge of the lower casing to provent too great movement. limit the distance to which the edge of the paper can be inserted a pair of stop pins '8 (Fig. 5) are secured to the 'cover plate 53.

The bracket I for the paper controlled switch is mounted on the under side of the shelf Ii by means of screws extending through a horizontal flange ll on the switch bracket 0i and threaded into the shelf ll (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9).

The solenoid coil I and the safety switch mounted on the frame of the solenoid coil are securedinside of the lower casing section by means of four screws 02 (Figs. 3 and 4) extending through horizontal flanges l! or lugs on the coil supporting frame and threaded into downwardly facing bosses I formed integral with the lower casing section 2. The pivoted latch members 39 are mounted on the shaft 4 (Fig. 3) extending from one side to the other of the lower casing section I and having its ends secured in openings in the upwardly extending lugs 11. The pivoted stop members 40 for limiting the movement of the stamp head are rockably mounted on inwardly extending studs secuned in the upwardly extending ears 8. on the lower casing section. The pair of springs 45 serves to control .both the pivoted latch members 38 and the pivoted stop members ll, these springs extending from the downwardly extending arms II on the stop members 45 to the downwardly extending arms 44 on the latch members. In order to limit the movement of the pivoted stop members a pair of stop pins H are mounted in the upwardly extending flanges I! of the lower casing section 2. (Figs. 3 and 5).

The wiring for the printing wheel controlling solenoid I comprises a pair of- 18 (Fig. 4) leading through an opening in e rear of the lower casing section to apair binding screws 14, and a pair of wires II le ng from these binding screws to the solenoid"'coil 0. These binding screws are mounted on an insulating plate 16 secured to a downwardly facing shoulder on the lower casing section Iby means of a pair of screws l'l (Figs. 1 and 4).

The wiring for the stamp head actuating solenoid 6 comprises a pair of feed wires 18 (Figs. 3 and 19) leading through an opening in the rear end of the lower casing section to a pair of binding screws 19 (Figs. 4 and 19), a wire 80 (Figs. 7

' and 19) leading from one of these binding screws to one of the binding terminals SI for the paper controlled switch, a wire 82 leading from the other binding screw ll of the paper controlled In order to switch to one side of the safety switch II, a wire I leading from the other side of the safety switch to one side of the solenoid, coil, and a wire 8! leading from the other side of the solenoid coil to the other binding screw 18. The binding screws 19 are mounted on an insulating plate 86 secured to a downwardly facing shoulder on the lower-casing section by means of a pair of screws 81 (Figs. 1 and 4).

Details of paper controlled switch In time printing devices'it is highlydesirable that the stamping action should be uniform in order to secure uniform printing. In order to secure uniform stamping and printing action I provide a switch construction (Figs. 7 to 10) in which the contact-making action is substantially uniform, no matter whether the manual action which results in the contact-making action is made quickly or slowly. For this purpose I provide a spring for closing the switch and a retaining latch for holding it open, which automatically releases the switch to permit it to close under spring action when the paper is inserted. The switch-closing action, and consequently the amount of current supplied to the solenoid, will thus be the same regardless of the speed with which the paper is inserted.

The moving parts of the paper controlled switch comprise a slidably mounted contact member ii! for cooperation with the stationary contact member 88, the slideactuating switch arm l8 oscillatably mounted on a shaft 89 extending between the side frame members SI and 9G, a switch arm operating member 2| alsorockably mounted on the shaft 89 (Figs. '7 and 9) and having a lost motion spring connection with the switch arm, a latch member ll pivotally mounted on a stud 9| secured to the actuating rock member 2|, 9. spring pressed keeper member l3 (Figs. '7, 9 and 10) rockably mounted on a stud 92 secured to the frame member 90, a stop pin 93 for limiting the spring pressed movement of the rockable keeper member and also of the latch member H, the paper controlled trigger ll rockably mounted on a shaft 94 extending between the side frame members BI and 90, and the latch-releasing hook l5 pivotally mounted on a shaft 95 extending between the trigger arm and a frame plate 96 secured to the trigger arm H by means of a pair of pins 91. A coil tension spring 98 is provided which tends to hold the arm of the rockably mounted keeper i3 in engagement with the stop pin 53 on the side frame. Another coil tension spring 99 (Fig. 9) is provided secured to the pivotally mounted latch member ii and tending to hold the edge l6 of this pivotally mounted latch member over against the laterally extending arm Hill of the keeper member ll. Another coil tension spring 23 (Fig. 7) is provided which serves as a returning spring for the rockably mounted trigger arm= ll when the edge of the paper is withdrawn, this spring having one end secured to the frame plate 98 on the trigger arm and its other end secured to a stud III on the side frame 90. The side frame members GI and 90 are secured together and held in proper spaced relation by means of the shafts extending therebetween and a pair of spacing and securing rods m2 extending from one .side frame to the other. One of these spacing members serves as a stop for'the trigger member by reason of the engagement therewith of the rearwardly extending arm III on the trigger (Fig. '7)

When a sheet of paper which is to be stamped latching edge l6 of latch member H to disen-' gage from latching edge I! on the laterally extending arm Hill of the keeper member IS. The switch arm operating member II and the switch arm 18 are now free to rotate clockwise about the shaft 89 under the urgency of'coil compression spring l8. The engagement of contacts l8 and 88 completes the circuit to the operating magnet of the timestamp.

An inspection of Figs. '7 and 9 will show that when the latch H disengages the keeper II, as above described, the stud 9|, which carries the latch II, will move downwardly about the shaft 89 as an axis, as the switch arm l8 rotates clockwise. This moves the arm I05 out of engagement with the hook l5, which (as pointed out in detail later) is held against downward movement. When the arm Hi5 disengages the point I06 of the hook l5,'it snaps slightly to the right (as viewed in Fig. 9) under the action of the spring 99, as will be brought out more fully later.

Referring again to the latch releasing hook 15,- it will be seen that this hook is mounted on a shaft 95 which is carried between and has its bearings in the trigger arm H and a mounting plate 96. The plate 96 is held in spaced relation to trigger arm [4 by means of pillars 91. It will also be seen from the drawings.that the latch releasing hook I5 is provided with a downwardly extending bumper tail designated as 15a. This bumper tail lies in close proximity to the hub of the lower pillar 91.

When the trigger arm H is rotated counterclockwise around the pivot point 94 by the insertion of a sheet of paper into printing position, the shaft 95 which mounts the latch releasing hook l5, being above the lower pillar 91 on the trigger arm 14, moves a greater linear distance than the lower pillar 91. Thus when the trigger arm H has been moved a short distance to the left, the bumper tail l5a of the latch releasing hook [5 comes into engagement with the hub of pillar 91 and will thereafter prevent any downward movement of the hook l5, until the trigger arm H is released and allowed to move to the right. Shortly after the bumper tail l5a engages the pillar, the latch ll disengages the keeper l3 and the switch closes under the action of the spring l0. As the switch closes, the stud 8| moves downwardly, moving the latch ll downwardly also to disengage the arm Hi5 from the hook 15, which (as pointed out above) is held against downward gravitational movement because of the engagement of the bumper tail lid with the pillar. Also, when the arm I!!! slips off the point of the hook l5, it snaps slightly to the right (as shown in Fig. 9) under the action of the spring 98.

Thus when the trigger arm H has completed its movement to its left hand position, the latch member H has been moved to the left to disengage latching edge l6 from latching edge ll,

I! has been held in raised position by the abutment of bumper tail Ila against the hub of the lower pillar 91 so that the latch member II is free to return to its right hand position without engaging or coming in contact with the hook I5. Fig. 9 of the drawings clearly shows this point in the cycle of operation. The switch arm II has been released, the contacts I and 99 are closed and the hook I is held raised and has allowed the latch member I I to return to its right hand position.

The closing of the contacts I9 and 90 completes the circuit to the electromagnetic mechanism bringing about the operation of the stamp head. During this operation the pin 29 or solenoid plunger 5 rotates the switch operating arm 2| in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot point 59. The switch arm I5 is thereby returned\ counterclockwise direction so that the latching edge I5 again engages latching edge H to hold the switch in its open position.

I will now explain the purpose of mounting the keeper member I3 in a manner permitting a slight oscillation thereof. This is to insure relatching oi the paper controlled switch in open position upon the actuating of the switch returning arm 2i, even if the paper should be left in a position to prevent the return of the trigger arm I4. In explanation of this, it will be seen that if the keeper member I3 were not permitted to yield under the pressure of the edge of the latch member against the arm I00, and if at the same time the trigger arm I4 were not permitted to return under the action of the spring 23, theedge I04 of the lateral arm I05 of the latch II would move into engagement with the edge I05 of the hook I5 on the opening movement of the switch arm and the latching edge I5 of the latch member would thus be prevented from engaging with the latching edge H of the keeper member I3. However, because of the yielding rockable mounting of the keeper member I3, the arm I01 of the keeper member will be rocked away from the limiting stop pin 93 because of the pressure of the edge of the latch member against the surface of the laterally extending finger I00 of the keeper member (the tension of the spring 99 for the latch member being strong enough to overcome the tension of the spring 99 forthe keeper member). This yielding of the keeper member permits the hook-engaging edge I04 of the latch member to swing free of the point I05 of the latch-releasing hook I5 (in the situation assumed in which the paper is preventing the return movement of the trigger arm and the hook I5 carried thereby). Thus, the switch member properly relatches when moved to open position bythe switch opening arm 2I regardless of whether or not the paper controlled trigger arm I4 has been allowed to return.

The closing movement of the switch arm is effected by means of the coil compression spring I0 extending between a shoulder I0Ia on the contact carrying slide I09 and a lug I09 on the slide-carrying bracket I I0. The contact-carrying slide I09 is slidably mounted on the bracket IIO by means of a pair of rivets III extending through slots H2 in the slide and secured to the flange III of the bracket I I0. The slide carrying bracket H0 is, in turn, riveted to a mounting bracket II4 seated in a recess in an insulating block III to which it is secured by means of a screw IIO. This insulating block is securedto the side frame by means of screws III. The binding screw- 93, previously,v referred to, is screwed into a laterally extending lug III formed integral with the mounting bracket I I4. The circult from this binding screw 03 to the movable contact I9 is through the mounting bracket II4, slide-carrying bracket H3 and either the slide I09 itself or slide-actuating spring I0 to the clip I I9 which embraces the contact member I9. The stationary contact member 89 is mounted in a clip member I20 secured to a lug I2I extending from a mounting bracket I22 secured in a recess in the insulating block II3'by means of a screw I23. The other binding screw 9i, previously referred to. is threaded into a lug I24 formed integral with the mounting bracket I22.

The yielding lost motionconnection between the switch arm I8 and the actuating member 2I permits the actuating arm 2i to have its full movement even if the switch arm for any reason should stick and refuse to move to open position, thus preventing injury to the mechanism. This yielding connection also permits the actuating arm 2| and pin to have their full movement without any interference on account of the limited movement of the slide I09. The coil compression spring I25, which provides the yielding Stamp head actuating solenoid The solenoid coil 6 is embraced by a U-shaped pole piece I30 formed of laminated plates and secured between the mounting brackets I3I by which the coil is mounted on the lower casing section and on which brackets the coil 6 itself is mounted. The coil is held in position by means of clips secured to the mounting brackets HI and having horizontally extending fingers I32 extending over the fibre plate I33 (Figs. 4 and 5) secured to the inner shell of the coil. The upper end of the coil is positioned or centered by means of the edges of the brackets I3I engaging the edges of correspondingly-shaped notches in the fibre disc.

The plunger member 5 comprises a portion operating in and surrounded by the coil 9 and a transversely extending armature portion I34 00- operating with the ends of the pole pieces I30 and is built up of laminated plates secured together by rivets.

The yielding connection between the plunger 5 and the stamp head is effected by means of a yoke member I34 having upwardly extending arms I35 (Figs; 2, 4, 6, 30 and 31) provided with bearing members I35 engaging inwardly extending bearing-pins I31 on the side frame members I33 of the stamp head, a coil compression spring I39 having its lower end positioned and centered by a plate I40 secured to the yoke by a screw, an adjustable abutment I4I against which the upper end of the spring bears, slidably mounted in guide plates I42 riveted to the plunger, and an adjusting screw I43 swiveled on the inwardly extending flanges I44 of the guide plates and having a threaded engagement with the slldable abutment I45. In order to hold the swiveled screw I48 in any position to which it may be adjusted, a pin I45 is provided extending transversely through the swiveled screw, the ends of this pin being movable into the space between the inwardly extending flanges I44. In order to adjust the slidable abutment I, a screw driver is applied to the upper end of the swivel adjusting screw 143, the pressure being applied axially at first, to move the ends the retaining pin I48 from the space between the ends of the flanges Md, and the screw driver then being turned to give the desired adjustment to the slidable abutment Hi. When the desired adjustment has been secured the swivel screw is turned just enough to bring the ends of the retaining pin into registration with the space between the flanges i 16, whereupon the coil compression spring NS will force the swivel adjusting screw upwardly to the ends of the retaining pin into the space mtween the flanges, thus holding the swivel adjusting screw in properly adjusted position.

The switch opening pin 28 is riveted to an L-shaped bracket I46 which, in turn, is riveted to the guide plate I42 (Fig. 6).

In operation, if, for any reason, the stamp head should be prevented from having a movement of sufilcient extent or speed to keep up with the plunger, the yieldable compression spring 39 will permit the plunger 5 to travel ahead of the yoke I34, against which the lower end of the compression spring bears. This yielding connection would enable the plunger 5 to continue its movement and open the switch even if the stamp head should be held against movement (for instance, by the insertion of a pad underneath the stamp head which might be so thick as to prevent or interfere with downward movement of the stamp head).

Stamp head printing wheels and clock mechanism The stamp head 8 is oscillatably mounted on the same shaft 4 as that on which the pivoted latch members 39 are mounted. The return movement of the stamp head is effected by means of the coil compression spring 22 acting on a plunger I41 (Figs. 4 and 6) slidably mounted in an opening I41 (Fig. 5) in an inwardly extending lug I48 on the lower casing section and pivotally connected at its upper end with a pin I48 extending between the arms of a yoke I58, the arms I5I of which are provided with hearing members I52 to receive the inwardly extending journal studs I53 mounted on the side plates I88. The upper end of the compression spring 22 bears against and is positioned by a flanged sleeve I54 through which the plunger extends, the flange of this sleeve bearing against the under side of the guide lug I48. The lower end of the spring 22 bears against and is centered by a flanged sleeve I55 through which the plunger I41 extends, this sleeve being held on the plunger by means of an adjusting screw I56 threaded on the lower end of the plunger I41. This adjusting screw may be held in adjusted position by means of a cotter pin I51 extending through a slot in the end of the screw.

The solenoid coil 8 and associated parts for operating the actuating lever 21 for the printing wheels and clock mechanism may be, in general, of the same construction as that for controlling the stamping action, previously described,

including the laminated yoke-shaped pole piece I58 and the T-shaped plunger 1, the ends oi the cross arm of which extend between the forked ends I58 of the side plates I88 and I8I of the actuating lever 21 (Figs. 2 and 6). The actuating lever is rockably mounted on a shaft I82, the ends of which are mounted in the side plates I88 of the stamp head. The side plates of the actuating lever are secured together and held in spaced relation by means of pins I63, the ends of which are riveted to the side plates. The side plates of the stamp head itself are secured to gether and held in proper spaced relation by means of rods I84 extending between the side plates and secured thereto. The actuating lever 21 is returned when the solenoid is de-energized by means of the coil tension spring 24, one end of which is secured to a stud I65 on the actuating lever and the other end of which is secured to stud I68 on the side plate.

Printing wheel mechanism Each actuation of the lever 21 advances the printing wheel mechanism one step. In the type shown, each step corresponds to one tenth of a minute. Therefore, the coil 8 should be energized ten times per minute advancing the tenths minute wheel 28 one step for each energization. When the coil 8 is energized it moves the lever 21 from the dotted line to the full line position shown in Fig. 6. This movement retracts the actuating pawl 25 and causes it to engage the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet 28. When the coil 8 is de-energized the spring 24 returns the lever 21 to the dotted line position and advances the ratchet wheel 26 one step. The ratchet wheel 26 is held against movement and prevented from overthrow movement by engagement of the pin I81 on the lever 21 with the sloping face of a tooth on the lock and clutch wheel I88. The ratchet wheel is locked when the lever 21 is in the full line position of Fig. 6 by the engagement of the pin I88 on the lever 21with the inclined edge of the upper end of the locking lever I10. This action holds the locking lever in the position shown in Fig. 6 in which the non-return pin "I on the locking lever I18 is held snugly in engagement with the ratchet wheel 28. This locking lever is pivotally mounted on a rock shaft I12 and is urged toward the ratchet by means of a coil tension spring I18.

Each step movement of the ratchet wheel causes a step movement of the tenths minute wheel 28 through a transmission including the gear I14 rotatable with the ratchet wheel 28 and a gear I15 rotatably mounted on a shaft I18 and rotatable with the tenths minute wheel 28. The units minute wheel 28, the tens minute wheel 38, the hour and meridian wheel 3| and the day of the month wheel 82 are all driven and locked -in train from the tenths minute wheel 28 by means of Geneva gearing. Thus the units minute wheel 28 is driven from the wheel 28 by means of the single tooth Geneva gear I11, the star wheel I18 and the gear I19 meshing with the star wheel I18 and mounted on the sleeve I88 on which the gear 28 is mounted. The printing wheel 30 is driven from the gear 29 by means of the single tooth Geneva gear I8I, a star wheel I82 driven by this single tooth gear, a pinion I88 rotatable with the star wheel, and a gear I84 secured to rotate with the printing wheel 88. The hour wheel 3| is driven from the printing wheel by a Geneva friction drive by means of a two-tooth Geneva gear I85 rotatable with the wheel 33. A star wheel Ill driven by the Geneva gear, a pinion lll rotatable with the star wheel. a gear I33 meshing with the pinion Ill and a three-armed spring friction member I33 secured to rotate with the hour wheel 3|. The three spring arms I33 (Figs. l5, l6 and 17) of the friction member cooperate with a circular series oi teeth Ill struck up from the gear I33 so that as the gear-is turned the friction member will turn therewith and thus cause the movement of the hour wheel 3!. This slip connection oi the wheel 3| withthe gear permits the hour wheel 3i to be set independently oi the movement of the preceding printing wheel of the train by means of a setting shaft I32 (Fig. 20) having a key-engaging portion I33 and having mounted thereon a pinion I33 meshing with a gear I33 which rotates with the hour wheel 3i secured thereto by means of rivets I03. The day of the month wheel 32 is driven from the hour wheel 3| by means of a slip friction drive including the single tooth Geneva gear I" secured to the hour wheel 3| by means of the rivet I33, a star wheel I93 driven from this Geneva gear, a pinion I" rotatable with the star wheel, a gear 200 meshing with this pinion, and a three-armed spring trio-- tion member 2M (Figs. l8, l9 and 28) secured upon the hub 202 of the day of the month wheel 32 and having its three spring arms 203 yieldingly engaging a circular series of teeth 2 on the gear 230 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the spring friction drive for the wheel 3|. This day of the month wheel 32 may be set independently of all of the preceding printing wheels of the train by means of a setting shaft 203 having a key-engaging end 208 and having mounted thereon a small pinion 201 which meshes with a gear 233 secured to rotate with the day of the month wheel by means of eyelets 230. It will thus be seen that both the hour wheel 3| and the day of the month wheel 32 may be set independently of each other and all 01' the preceding printing wheels of the train without, however, interfering with the operation by which all of the printing wheels 23, 23, 30, 3| and 32 are driven and locked in train from the ratchet wheel.

The clock mechanism is driven from the gear ill (Fig. 2) by means of'a gear 2M meshing with this gear, a shaft 2 on which the gear III] is mounted, a worm 2l2 secured on this shaft 2 and worm wheel 2" meshing with this worm 2l2 and mounted on the main center drive shaft 2 for the clock hands 2|! (Fig. 6).

The month wheel 33 and year wheel 34 are set independently of the printing wheels 23 to 32, inclusive, by hand by means of the key operated setting shaft 3! (Fig. 2) which has mounted thereon a pinion 2|. meshing with a gear 2" rotatable with the month wheel 33. The month wheel 33 drives the year wheel 33 through a single tooth Geneva .gear 2" mounted on a sleeve 2| 3 which rotates with the month wheel 33 and drives a star wheel 223 rotatable with a pinion 22l meshing with a gear 222 secured the year wheel 3|.

In order to enable the five printing wheels, 23 to 32, inclusive, to be set by means of a key, independently of the movement of the ratchet wheel 28. an aligning disconnecting clutch is provided between the ratchetwheel 26 and the gear ill which drives the set of printing wheels.

This independent setting construction comprises a number of pins 223 (Fig. 2) on the gear I14 which flt into corresponding recesses in the aligning clutch plate I secured to the hub 224 on which the ratchet 23 is mounted. The clutch plate I33 may, however, be disengaged from the pins 223 by axial movement as the hub is mounted on a sleeve 223 which is axially shii'table on theshaft 223 on which'the gear I" is mounted. The clutch plate III is normally urged to its clutch position by means of a coil spring 221 having one end seated against a collar 22! riveted to the shaft 223, and its other end bearing against the shoulder 22! on the axially shii'table sleeve 223. The axial shifting oi the clutch plate I to disengage the clutch plate from the pins 223 is eflected by means of an axially shiftable plate 233 having secured thereto a pair of pins 23! which extend through openings in the gear I" and the ends of which bear against the clutch plate I". This clutch-releasing plate 23 has a pair of semi-circular openings to receive the split portions 232 on the shaft 226 on which the gear I'll is mounted, the plate being provided with a bridge portion 233 lying between the split portions of the shaft to be engaged with the flattened end 233 of a setting key 23! which may be inserted in thekeyhole 236 and pressed inwardly to move the clutch-releasing plate 230 axially, thus shifting the clutch plate I88 axially also and releasing the pins 223 on the gear ill from the recesses on the clutch plate i".

When this release has been effected the gear I" may be moved independently of the ratchet wheel 26 to set the train oi printing wheels, the clock hands being set at the same time through the gear train previously described.

Ribbon feed The ribbon feed is effected by means of a rock am 231 (Fig. 3) pivotally mounted at 233 on the stamp head 3 and carrying a pawl 23! which drives a ratchet 233 which, in turn, drives one or the other of the gears 243 which drive the ribbon spools 2 (Fig. 11). resistance oiiered by the feeding movement oi the ribbon maynot act as a drag to slow up the downward movement of the stamp head an arrangement is made whereby the actual feeding of the ribbon is on the up stroke or return stroke of the stamp head, this being accomplished by arranging so that the end of the rock lever will strike an abutment 242 on the upper casing section I on its return movement, thus causing a movement of the rock arm relative to the stamp head and causing the pawl on the rock arm to advance the spool ratchet wheel one step on the upward movement of the stamp. The rock arm is moved upwardly relatively to the stamp head to cause the pawl 238' to engage a succeeding tooth oi the ribbon feeding ratchet wheel 239 by means of a slide 243 mounted on the stamp head 3 and pivotally connected at 2 with the rock arm 231 and having a laterally extending toot portion 243 which engages the plate .3 on the down stroke, of the stamp head, thus retracting the pawl 23! to cause it to engage a succeeding tooth on the ratchet 233. This arrangement relieves the downward movement of the stamp head from the actual work of feeding the ribbon so that the movement of the stamp head is not slowed up appreciably.

It will be seen that the construction described above is such that the objects of the invention recited are obtained.

The switch and associated construction shown inFigs. 21 to 29, inclusive, is substantially the same as that previously described except that In order that the 

